A recent report shows how fuel cell smart power units could act like "mini power stations" in more than 5.3 million UK homes, flats and small businesses by 2030.

The report, developed by Ecuity Consulting LLP on behalf of key UK fuel cell developers, highlights that fuel cell smart power unit are suitable for 90% of households and small businesses in the UK which equates to 22 million properties.

Allowing 5.3 million consumers to generate heat and electricity at home with fuel cell smart power units could reduce energy bills by 21% for millions of consumers, and could introduce 5GW of new flexible capacity into the energy system, equal to 14 new gas fired power stations.

In addition to the direct advantages of fuel cell smart power units, the technology is also uniquely placed to become the focal point of a radical smart transformation of energy use in buildings driven by the deployment of the smart grid and the development of intelligent products, IT tools and services.

Industry leaders have pledged to work with political stakeholders and players across the smart energy supply chain towards a plan that will assert the UK’s role as a technology pioneer and a hub for fuel cell smart power and intelligent building solutions.

Mark Bugler, technical director at IE-CHP who contributed to the report said: "IE-CHP is delighted to have been involved in this report which clearly shows the potential for smart power revolution in the UK. By de-centralising power generation and producing it in your home instead of centralised power stations, our technology empowers the consumer to produce clean, affordable, efficient and controllable energy where it is needed in the home, at twice the efficiency of centralised power stations."

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